Concord is 29 miles east of San Francisco, meaning that the commute through the Caldecott Tunnel and across the Bay Bridge can be done in approximately thirty minutes when traffic is light, but may feel like an eternity when traffic is heavy. The total area of the city is 31.13 square miles, and with over 120,000 residents Concord is the largest city in Contra Costa County.

Concord is perhaps best-known for the De La Salle High School football team, which between 1992 and 2004 established a national record winning streak of 151 games, shattering the previous record of 72 games. During this time the team was named ESPN national champion in 1994 and USA Today national champion in 1998, 2000, 2001, 2002, and 2003.

Another of Concord's claims to fame is the famous people who grew up in the city. Concord is the birthplace of actor Tom Hanks, who is well known for numerous critically-acclaimed movies including Turner & Hooch, Bachelor Party and Joe Versus the Volcano. Also, Jazz pianist Dave Brubeck (whose famous quartet featuring Paul Desmond played "Take Five") is from Concord and one of Concord's several parks is named in his honor.

Concord, like most of the East Bay, has hot summers and cool winters. Rain is a rare sight during most months of the year and any rain occurs in monsoon-like periods of fairly heavy rain that last for a few days and then give way to dry weather again. These wet periods often occur in late December or during January and February, but never occur during the summer.

Like most of America, unless you enjoy walking or biking long distances you'll want a car to get around in Concord. This city is asphalt America at its finest, and while motorists are generally respectful of bikers and pedestrians, the auto is the king of the road. County Connection buses also service the city, along with several taxi services.

38.0575-122.0297221Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial, ☎+1 925 228-8860 ext 6520 (reservations). Tours available Th-Sa at 12:45PM (allow 1.5 hours). Not all dates and times may be available. No public access Su-We. This memorial honors 320 individuals (including 200 young African American men) who were killed in a munitions accident during World War II while loading munitions and bombs onto ships bound for the Pacific Rim. Following the explosion many of the enlisted men refused to work, resulting in the Navy's largest mutiny trial and eventually helping to push the US Armed Forces to desegregate. The memorial is located on an active military base and as a result reservations must be made at least two weeks in advance and all visitors must be US citizens or permanent residents. Reservations can be made by calling or via an online reservation form. All visitors are shuttled to the memorial from John Muir National Historic Site in nearby Martinez. (updated Feb 2015)

37.973333-122.0336112Don Francisco Galindo House. One of the few remaining Victorian homes left in the area, a 19th century home built in 1856, open to the public for daytime use.

37.9597-121.9461Concord Pavilion, 2000 Kirker Pass Rd. The Concord Pavilion is a 12,500 seat amphitheatre that hosts dozens of major concerts each year. The amphitheatre is configured with approximately 8,000 reserved seats and, for the more frugal and potentially rain-tolerant music lover, 4,500 lawn seats. Upcoming concerts can be found on the Pavilion's online calendar.

37.9894-122.0225Pixieland Amusement Park, 2740 E Olivera Rd, ☎+1 925 676-9612. A small amusement park for children from toddlers to age 8, including a train, carousel, and other rides. Pack a picnic (no alcoholic beverages, outside pizza, or bbq grills).Admission is free; $2.25–$4.50 per ride. (updated Aug 2017)

37.99974-122.049816Solano Drive-In, 1611 Solano Way, ☎+1 925 825-1951. After closing down for a time, this drive-in was reopened as part of the West Wind chain and now features digital projection and sound transmitted directly to the car stereo. The latest movies are shown, most as double features, with a fifteen minute intermission between films to grab food at the snack bar, or you can bring your own food and tailgate (no alcohol is allowed). Tickets are not sold online, so arrive early for popular films to ensure a ticket and a good parking spot are available, and be sure to bring a blanket or jacket on cold nights.$7.95 general admission ($5.25 on Tuesdays), $1.25 per child. (updated Jan 2017)

Strip malls, grocery stores, fast food restaurants, electronics megastores, and all other manner of American consumerism are readily available; following any major street will inevitably lead to some sort of shopping area.

37.9672-122.0631Sunvalley Mall (located off of I-680 along Willow Pass road). Concord's lone mega-mall caters to all manner of teenage fashion fantasies as well as the appliance fetishes of middle-aged women and shopping phobias of middle-aged men. The main area is two stories with escalators, stairs, and a large glass elevator. The mall also includes a JC Penney and a Macy's. In front of the elevator is a lounge area which is also used for live entertainment and the annual Christmas Santa event.

37.969-122.05732Willows Shopping Center (located near the Willows Pass Rd exit from I-680). While not quite the labyrinth of Sunvalley, this mall features an REI Outdoor, Any Mountain Sports.

37.97-122.057951Benihana, 1989 Diamond Blvd, ☎+1 925 827-4220. Concord is one of the few Bay Area locations for the well-known chain of Japanese restaurants where the chefs cook and entertain at your very table. The prices are somewhat on the pricey side - be advised to plan in $6-$14 for lunch and $15-$40 for dinner - but it's good food and better fun. So we are happy to fork out the bucks for sushi or "Hibachi Steak" dinner: griddle-fried beef served with shrimp appetizer, choice of rice and grilled vegetables. (updated Apr 2016)

37.98284-122.015832Digger's Diner, 1895 Farm Bureau Rd, ☎+1 925 825-8958. This is a family-run diner that got its unique name from the father of the family's unusual job digging graves. Although this is not his current occupation, there is a huge mural inside the establishment depicting a comical graveyard next to a bustling diner. Their friendly staff makes for a great atmosphere, and they are quick to serve and very good about special orders. The prices are usual for any diner; you could definitely get by eating lunch for under $10.

37.95022-121.957293Guadalajara Grill # B6, 5446 Ygnacio Valley Rd, ☎+1 925 672-4430. The super chicken burrito runs about $7.95 for lunch and $8.95 for dinner, and when combined with the never-ending chips and salsa is guaranteed to leave you full. Super fast service and free Tootsie Roll Pops seal this establishment's top-notch reputation. Serving lunch and dinner from 11AM to 10PM.

Those looking for nightlife are better served by visiting neighboring Walnut Creek, although there are a few drinking establishments that are worth a visit.

38.01277-122.023521Legends & Heroes Sports Bar, 4050 Port Chicago Hwy, ☎+1 925 687-4111. For those wanting to get their football/basketball/baseball fix while downing a few brews, Legends offers the TV and taps necessary to help you out.

37.97802-122.034292EJ Phair Brewing Co. & Ale House, 2151 Salvio St, ☎+1 925 691-4253. Brewpub with a great ambiance and a rotating selection of home-brewed beer and selected microbrews right on Todos Santos plaza. There are two large, free parking garages in the adjacent blocks.

37.96153-121.985791Best Western Heritage Inn, 4600 Clayton Rd, ☎+1 925 686-4466, toll-free: +1-800-622-6466, fax: +1 925 825-0581. Catering to the business crowd, this hotel is unlikely to surprise anyone who has stayed in a Best Western anywhere else in the world. Rates from $70 to $90 per night for a single room.

37.9522-121.959212Days Inn, 5370 Clayton Rd, ☎+1 925 674-9400, fax: +1 925 674-9595. Offering free wireless internet and continental breakfast. The Concord Pavilion is also only one mile away for visitors wanting a hotel located close to the concert venue.

37.97145-122.054173Hilton Concord, 1970 Diamond Blvd, ☎+1 925 827-2000, fax: +1 925 827-2113. This hotel's proximity to I-680 makes it a desirable location for those wanting to stay in a Hilton located near an interstate.Rates from $150 to $220 per night for a single room.

Clayton - One of Concord's next door neighbors, Clayton is a bit more rural than other communities and still offers somewhat of a small-town atmosphere.

Pleasant Hill - This neighboring town is primarily a typical family suburb, but it does offer options for food and shopping.

Mount Diablo State Park - This 20,000 acre park is located to the southeast of Concord and provides great hiking opportunities on a mountain that dominates the landscape for most of central and eastern Contra Costa County. It offers an incredible viewshed, with views on clear days stretching 181 miles to Mount Lassen.

Berkeley - Eclectic, political and always interesting, Berkeley is only a 20 to 25 minute drive away. Alternatively, using BART, either a) transfer at the MacArthur station and exit at Downtown Berkeley, or b) exit at Rockridge and walk ~2 miles to downtown.

San Francisco - Although "the City" feels a world away, it's just a 45-minute BART ride to the Embarcadero or a 35-minute to 1.5-hour drive, depending on traffic.

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